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CoNNECTiNg aND ExploRiNg MaNUfaCTURiNg iN WiSCoNSiN
anufacturing fall 2023

TODAY
Wi
tM

Exploring Manufacturing in Wisconsin

The Economic future of Rural Wisconsin Communities Relies

on attracting and Retaining local Workforce Talent

explore and receive training in those career
The osseo-fairchild Technical Education Center is a training paths. Contextualized and Work-Based
We want to increase the quality of the
center in west central Wisconsin focused on providing workforce in our rural area by attracting and Learning
Work-based training programs such
relevant manufacturing educational opportunities. retaining talent, upskilling existing workers, as job shadows and youth apprenticeships
improving career pathways, promoting are critical tools for growing the work-
apprenticeships and other work-based force pipeline. We are working with local
learning, promoting career awareness, and industries to engage employers as active
reaching out to unemployed or individuals. participants in solving the region’s work-
With the partnership of a local techni- force challenges through developing and
cal college, we are able to bring training expanding work-based learning opportuni-
opportunities directly to our students and ties for rural communities.
community residents. Our target is our rural The unique nature of this regional
K–12 students, as well as unemployed and training institute integrates employers
underemployed adults seeking short-term into curriculum development, equipment
training. The partnership will also offer selection and training, and hosting manu-
professional development to secondary facturing apprentices. We are not working
teachers to bolster K–12 technical educa-
tion. Continued on page 36
Manufacturing is a critical industry in will prepare students with the required “soft
our rural region of Wisconsin. Our focus skills” (Team Player, Hardworking, Unstop-
is to provide and expand new opportunities pable, Networking, Dependable, Engaged
for area students in careers that will address & Role model) necessary to survive in the
a critical manufacturing workforce short- rapidly changing business environment.
ages. We will also serve rural unemployed
This innovative training center reflects and underemployed adults starting or
public/private partnerships between techni- advancing their education and area employ-
cal colleges, school districts, and employers. ers seeking incumbent workforce training,
Our purpose is to provide a dedicated space with programs offered outside traditional
for manufacturing education to meet local business hours to accommodate adult
industry needs and advance opportunities in schedules.
our surrounding communities. Our partnerships with local industries
This facility provides educational will help make these training programs
opportunities in, welding, machining, alter- very relatable to the real world, exposing
native energy, computer aided drafting/ the students to the industry by plant tours or
manufacturing, design, architecture, mecha- even potential employers coming in to state
tronics, robotics, automotive, building their needs. Our goal is to make students
construction and precision measurement. aware of what types of careers are out there
In addition to our focus on trades skills we and then provide a way for the student to

thank you to our advertisers for your generous support!

First Technologies • Great Northern Corporation • Miller Welds • Pioneer Metal Finishing • Productivity Inc.,
MEC • Thomas Precision • Green Bay Packaging • Haas Factory Outlet Milwaukee • E. C. Styberg Engineering
Innovative Machining • Northwood Technical College • Nexen Group • Western Technical College